Italy player Luca Morisi has spleen removed after bruising Fiji clash

Centre undergoes surgery after being tackled by Asaeli Tikoirotuma during
Azzurri's 37-31 win over Fijian team that incurred record number of yellow
cards

Bruising encounter: Luca Morosi (left) takes on the Fijian defence. The Italian centre left the field following a tackle during the first half of Saturday's Test in Cremona and later underwent a splenectomyPhoto: EPA

Italy centre Luca Morisi had surgery to remove his spleen after being injured in a tackle early in his side’s 37-31 win over Fiji, who at one point were reduced to 11 players.

The five yellow cards given to Fiji by Welsh official Leighton Hodges during Saturday’s Test set an international record for the most awarded to one team in a match.

“Luca Morisi was admitted to Cremona hospital, where he had his spleen removed as a result of suffering trauma to his abdomen early in the Test match against Fiji,” an Italian statement said. “The surgery was a complete success. His condition is stable.”

Morisi was legally tackled by Asaeli Tikoirotuma and was forced to leave the field soon afterwards.